The Challenge - Pakistan Environment Trust

Agriculture

Agriculture is a vital part of Pakistan’s economy, employing over 40% of our workforce. However, Pakistan’s agricultural productivity is among the world’s lowest and is highly sensitive to rising temperatures, unpredictable rain patterns, and severe weather events (e.g. droughts and floods).

Further declines in agricultural productivity will have a major impact on rural communities that rely on staple crops for sustenance and income. Crops like wheat – grown by over 80% of Pakistan’s farmers – are expected to see a 6-9% decline in yields if average temperatures rise by just 1°C (Asian Development Bank).

Air Quality

Pakistan was ranked as the 2nd worst country in the world for air pollution in 2019 by the World Air Quality Report. Several factors have driven this decline in air quality, including emissions from vehicles, industrial activity, coal-based power generation, and crop burning.

Poor air quality is having a significant impact on quality of life. According to the World Bank, air pollution has an estimated economic burden of $50Bn for Pakistan and is a leading cause of sickness and death.

Biodiversity

Pakistan is blessed with a rich variety of ecosystems. These ecosystems are a home to Pakistan’s most treasured wildlife, from the markhor and snow leopard in the north of Pakistan, to the Indus River dolphin in the south.

However, these same species are under major threat due to habitat loss and climate change. The destruction of natural habitats caused by urban sprawl and agriculture, combined with unsustainable harvesting and hunting practices, means that many native species in Pakistan are in decline or face major disruption.

Forests

Forests are the cornerstone of Pakistan’s fight against climate change. Pakistan is blessed with natural forest resources that provide several essential services for human wellbeing; including carbon sequestration, watershed management, soil protection and the conservation of complex ecosystems.

Pakistan has made great strides in restoring its forests, but it remains a forest-poor country that is under heavy pressure from illegal logging, conversion of forest land for agricultural use, expansion of rural infrastructure, and high fuelwood demand.

Waste Management

Pakistan’s continuing industrialisation had led to a significant rise in waste production, but its cities remain ill-equipped to efficiently manage this. In absence of appropriate waste collection and management infrastructure, most solid waste ends up being incinerated or dumped in vacant lots within cities.

Industrial waste is disposed of in a similar manner, exposing local communities to toxic pollutants and damaging vulnerable habitats. Beyond the environmental damage it is causing, inadequate waste management represents a growing threat to human well-being.

Water Security

Pakistan is facing a water crisis, with over 17 million people living without access to clean water (Water Aid). Water availability per person is amongst the lowest in the world, driven by an inefficient utilisation of Pakistan’s large water endowment.

Agriculture is the largest user of water in Pakistan, with four major crops (wheat, rice, sugarcane, and cotton) accounting for almost 80% of all water use but generating less than 5% of Pakistan’s GDP.

The other side of Pakistan’s water insecurity is poor water quality and sanitation, exacerbated by rapid urbanisation and industrialisation. Water-borne diseases, typically caused by water supplies that are contaminated by sewage effluent, are a leading cause of death in Pakistan.

However, there is also an opportunity for businesses amidst this crisis. If Pakistan’s private sector plays its cards right, there can be creation of cutting-edge green products and green jobs, there can energy security from renewable energy transition, and there can be enhanced product reach from early compliance with global standards like net zero.

We are undergoing a major shift in the way we conduct business. Early movers in this transition will have the greatest benefit to extract. This decade is the window of opportunity to act early in the global emissions reduction movement. Pakistan has an incredible opportunity to shift gears and tap into the benefit that the energy transition movement has to offer.

With the whole world waking up to the importance of sustainable business practices, it’s time to act now and secure your competitive edge. If we rebuild our businesses and start working towards net zero immediately, we can lead this global green revolution!

Pakistan is facing an environmental crisis that requires urgent action.